by - April 19, 2016 4:26 pm
Amendment passes Joint Budget; Arkansas Works closer to funding
An amendment that would change the law creating Arkansas Works so that it would end at the end of this year, rather than the end of 2021, passed the Joint…
Author: Steve Brawner
by - April 19, 2016 11:12 am
Arkansas Works opponents offer alternative plan that would reduce coverage, cap annual cost
Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, an opponent of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works program, proposed what he is calling a compromise Tuesday where beneficiaries would go on traditional Medicaid rather than…
by - April 19, 2016 11:04 am
New amendment meant to help Arkansas Works survive vote, court challenge
A supporter of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works program offered a new amendment that he said would better survive legal scrutiny and make it easier for Democrats to come on…
by - April 18, 2016 4:40 pm
Arkansas Ethics Commission moving forward on investigation of governor
The Ethics Commission is moving forward on investigating Gov. Asa Hutchinson for a possible violation of Arkansas campaign laws. Attorney Matt Campbell, publisher of The Blue Hog Report website, filed…
by - April 17, 2016 6:31 am
Rep. Crawford: Cuba on cusp of change, U.S. should help open up the nation (Updated)
Cubans are a proud people entering a period of major social change, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said Monday after returning from his first trip there last week. (UPDATE: See…
by - April 15, 2016 4:14 pm
Governor says he has GOP votes to fund Arkansas Works through veto strategy
Gov. Asa Hutchinson is confident he will gain enough support to use a line-item veto strategy to fund his Arkansas Works program. Hutchinson spoke to reporters in his office on…
by - April 14, 2016 12:52 pm
End-around to fund Arkansas Works fails
After a day of legal and constitutional maneuvering, funding for Arkansas Works and the Department of Human Services’ Medical Services Division remained as uncertain in the end as it was…
by - April 13, 2016 5:50 pm
Committee passes Arkansas Works funding, but battle looms in Senate, House
The appropriations bill for funding Arkansas Works and other Medicaid programs passed the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee Wednesday (April 13) and now moves into consideration by the full Senate Thursday….
by - April 12, 2016 3:29 pm
Gov. Hutchinson: Highway plan, session in jeopardy without Arkansas Works
Failure to pass his Arkansas Works program could lead to the cancellation of a planned special session for highways, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a press conference Tuesday (April 12)….
by - April 11, 2016 4:21 pm
House leadership releases alternate budget without Arkansas Works; foster care would take hit
The state would increase spending in the foster care system less than anticipated, spend $54.2 million more for the Department of Human Services, and spend $7.3 million less than last…
by - April 8, 2016 10:30 am
Hutchinson signs Arkansas Works into law, pledges to avoid ‘crash’ in fiscal session
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed his Arkansas Works bill into law Friday. Now he just has to find five votes in the House and two votes in the Senate to fund…
by - April 6, 2016 7:43 pm
Committees approve Arkansas Works as bills head to both chambers
The House and Senate Insurance and Commerce Committees separately approved bills creating Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Arkansas Works legislation Wednesday, giving the full chambers the chance to vote on the legislation…
by - April 6, 2016 11:12 am
Gov. Hutchinson opens health care special session
Gov. Asa Hutchinson opened a legislative special session on health care Wednesday by quoting the biblical book of Isaiah: “Come now, and let us reason together.” The special session will…
by - April 5, 2016 6:46 pm
DiamondCare supporters present bill; consideration in special session unlikely
Hours after Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the Legislature would consider only his Arkansas Works legislation in a special session that begins Wednesday, legislators publicly released a bill they say will…
by - April 5, 2016 11:33 am
Gov. Hutchinson: Special session about Arkansas Works only
Gov. Asa Hutchinson will limit the call in the upcoming special legislative session to his continuation of the private option, which he is calling Arkansas Works, and will not ask…
by - April 5, 2016 8:30 am
Legislators consider contraceptive implants to combat unwanted pregnancies
Should the state offer contraceptive implants at local Department of Health offices? That question was considered Monday by a legislative joint subcommittee. The discussion was started by a 2015 bill…
by - April 4, 2016 5:12 pm
Legislative leaders ask governor to limit session call to Arkansas Works, nix managed care for now
The leaders of the state House and Senate are asking Gov. Asa Hutchinson to focus the upcoming special session on Arkansas Works, which is his continuation of the private option,…
by - April 4, 2016 11:06 am
Medical groups working on Arkansas tort reform amendment
Arkansas’ attorney general has certified the ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the General Assembly to limit damages in medical lawsuits, but its health provider backers…
by - March 30, 2016 8:22 pm
Justice Baker: Attorneys’ fees could finance judicial elections
Arkansas should consider creating a system of public funding of judicial campaigns financed by an attorney license fee surcharge, Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker said Wednesday (March 30). Baker…
by - March 30, 2016 3:03 pm
Plan would reduce waiting list for services for developmental disabilities (Updated)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated throughout to reflect the detailed proposal from Gov. Asa Hutchinson. –––––––––––––––––– Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday (March 30) that his bill to create…